WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) today released the following comment on the state of Alaska’s decision to challenge in court the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s rejection of the state’s proposal to survey the energy resources of the non-wilderness portion of the Arctic coastal plain.

“I support Gov. Parnell’s decision to move forward with litigation against the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. As I have repeatedly said, the agency has clearly lost sight of its responsibility to Alaskans,” Murkowski said. “Any legitimate ‘all of the above’ energy policy must include all 50 states, especially Alaska. Right now, however, we are being shut out by this administration, with good ideas and great opportunities for needed production rejected out of hand. Congress specifically reserved the 1002 Area for further study and production – but today, we can’t even survey the resources located there. Litigation is warranted.”